‘In The Sweet By And By’ is a popular, old gospel song that is always a great session sing-along! In the key of C, this arrangement features some lovely crosspicking, with a variation for both the verse & chorus melodies. I’d suggest this tune is suited to the advanced picker, but as always, in this lesson we’ll break down the tune and look at some helpful tips. Go to lesson...
The Three Sea Captains is a traditional Irish jig, played at a medium tempo, in the key of G. With a jolly melody, both the A & B parts are longer than the usual fiddle tune, making for a more substantial tune to pick. I’d suggest that you need to be comfortable with the jig structure, as this tune takes it up a notch with a variety of rhythmic variation featured throughout, making this tune more suited to the advanced intermediate picker. Go to lesson...
O’Carolan’s Draught is a beautiful Turlough O’Carolan melody, in the key of G. In this fingerstyle arrangement, we have some great movement and some challenging left-hand positions, suited to the advanced player. In the lesson we’ll break down the technique, fingering and positions for both A & B. Played at a slow tempo, this piece is a challenge, but very rewarding and well worth getting to know. Go to lesson...
The Kid On The Mountain is traditional Irish slip jig (9/8), played at a fast tempo, in the key of Em. There are five parts to the tune, each containing some excellent, yet demanding picking passages. This fingerstyle arrangement will suit the advanced picker and will be a great addition to your repertoire…who doesn’t love a slip jig! Go to lesson...
Over The Waterfall is a popular traditional tune, with a 2 part form, in the key of D. This fingerstyle arrangement has both a basic & advanced variation and the guitar is tuned to the lovely sounding DADGAD tuning. Featuring a variety of intricate techniques, including drones, triplet slurs, octaves and left-hand taps, the arrangement is certainly one of my favourites. Go to lesson...
Good Natured Man is a traditional Irish hornpipe, with a 2 part form, in the key of G. The arrangement combines several great techniques including crosspicking, floating, triplets, all combined with the hornpipe feel. The tempo is reasonably fast, making it a great tune for the advanced picker wanting a challenge, especially combined with the other techniques! Go to lesson...
The Maid Behind The Bar is a traditional Irish reel, with a 2 part form, in the key of D. The melody is challenging on the guitar, with a wide range of movement. The tempo is fast, making it a great tune for the advanced picker wanting a challenge! In the lesson, we’ll cover the important techniques to focus on to help you get the tune up to speed. Go to lesson...
The Back Side of Albany is a traditional American reel in the key of Em (dorian). In this fingerstyle arrangement, the melody is supported by harmonising bass notes that compliments the tune in a pretty way, with some really interesting chord movements throughout. This is suited to the advanced fingerstyle player, especially as the tune requires a quick, lively tempo. Go to lesson...
The Monaghan Jig is an awesome tune in the key of Em, played at a fast tempo, and suited to the advanced picker. There are four parts to the tune, each presenting their own challenges; cross picking, arpeggios, picking technique, 16th note rhythms plus ensuring the 6/8 feel is accented. Spend some time on this tune, it will certainly develop your picking and will be a great addition to your repertoire! Go to lesson...
‘O Come All Ye faithful’ is a beautiful Christmas carol and in this fingerstyle guitar lesson, we’ll learn a variation that supports the melody in both 2 & 3 part harmony. In the key of G (drop D tuning), the dynamic rises and falls as the harmony moves in and out of 2 & 3 part, high & low, creating a lovely sense of contrast to the piece. The Go to lesson...